Selectron Systems AG has announced that it has selected Irdeto as a partner for securing identities and authentication of the Group’s connected transport components and systems.
Irdeto’s Keys & Credentials solution will protect the identity and integrity of thousands of safety-critical embedded products, such as Train Control and Management Systems (TCMS) or Electronic Control Units of commercial vehicles and many more against security threats.
As transportation operators maintain complex, often international and increasingly connected infrastructures, the safety of travelers and preservation of commercial goods from cyberattacks remain a top priority. From threat actors gaining remote access through weak points in the network to physical hacking into unsupervised vehicles’ equipment: Safeguarding the integrity of critical systems that control this infrastructure – whether these are braking, steering and other control systems – is vital to ensuring smooth and safe operations for operators and manufacturers.
Therefore, Knorr-Bremse subsidiary Selectron has integrated the Irdeto Keys & Credentials solution for managing the lifecycle of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates embedded in its products. The solution will enable Knorr-Bremse and Selectron to bring peace of mind to its customers by deploying the most advanced, safe and trustworthy products and services, compliant with the emerging ISA/IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards for rail vehicle systems, the ISO/SAE 21434 for commercial vehicle systems and the established ISO 27001. The partnership marks yet another important step for Knorr-Bremse’s and Selectron’s joint initiative to be at the forefront of providing secure vehicle control devices resilient against cyber threats.
Dr Thomas Fischer, CEO of Selectron Systems AG, said: “Vehicles have become internetworked, internet-connected systems on wheels, and our focus on digital security has grown to meet this challenge. The PKI solution is an important step in our ambition to set new standards for cybersecurity in the connected transport space. We are looking forward to partnering with Irdeto and utilizing its wider range of cybersecurity solutions.”
“This partnership marks a new standard of security across the rail and commercial vehicles sector,” added Niels Haverkorn, General Manager Connected Transport at Irdeto. “As the entire transport ecosystem becomes connected, the cybersecurity threat is becoming more real. Irdeto has vast experience helping and supporting customers secure their solutions, and we are excited to bring our knowledge into the connected transport space.”
Irdeto’s solution embeds strong PKI certificates at scale into vehicle control units (VCUs) and other microcontrollers that are built into Knorr-Bremse’s components, such as Selectron’s new secure Central Processing Unit (CPU) for TCMS. This guarantees that they can always be identified, trusted, and possibly revoked within the transportation communication infrastructure over its lifetime – ensuring safety and compliance.
Unlike many other commercial off-the-shelf PKI solutions, Irdeto Keys & Credentials is an adaptable and multi-faceted solution, ready and able to meet Knorr-Bremse’s and Selectron’s requirements for security,
compliance, flexibility and ability to operate at unprecedented scales. This partnership sets the standard for secure rail travel and commercial transportation in a world where cybersecurity is becoming increasingly vital to ensuring safe operations.